Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a small and charming dog with a big heart. Despite their lack of height, you will soon discover that they have no lack in heart or personality. In fact, they can be so feisty and confident that they sometimes forget how small they are and will try to challenge larger dogs. Aside from this quirk, these dogs do well with kids and other pets alike. They make good watch dogs due to their powerful and frequent barking, but will require good training, or else it may never stop. They have a variety of nicknames as well as coat color possibilities, and will surely brighten up your life. In the past, these dogs could grow to be as big as 30 pounds and were used as sheep dogs. Today, however, they are much smaller but are still quite talented in obedience, agility, therapy, flyball and tracking, and, of course, being loving companion pets.

Pomeranian Breed History

Pomeranians came from the province of Pomerania, in Germany, which is where they take their name. They are derived from the ancient Spitz breeds from far northern countries. The Norwegian Elkhound, German Spitz, Samoyed, American Eskimo Dog and Schipperke are the closest relatives of this breed. Early dogs of this breed were much larger than the ones known today, weighing up to 30 pounds. These older and larger versions of the breed were used as sheep dogs. They were introduced in England when the young Queen Charlotte moved there in 1761 to marry King George III, bringing her two pet Pomeranians with her. However, they did not become popular with the public until the reign of her daughter, Queen Victoria, who bred as many as 15 different breeds of dogs during her time, including the Pomeranian. She found her interest in these dogs in 1888 while on a visit to Italy. The first Pomeranians to ever be shown were those of Queen Victoria, which led to the increase in their popularity. In fact, from 1900 to 1930, they were the breed with the highest number of entries at dog shows. It was during these years that the dogs became consistently smaller and their signature coat and size were determined. The color range was also expanded during this time, adding orange to the already existing black, white, chocolate and blue. The first Pomeranian was entered in the American Kennel Club in the year of 1888, and they quickly gained popularity in the United States in 1900. The foundation of the American Pomeranian Club was in 1909.

Pomeranian Breed Appearance

These little, toy-sized dogs have thick double coats, with fluffy and soft undercoats and shiny, straight and long hair on the outer coat. The hair on the neck and chest will be longest, creating a frill around the face. Their plumed tails will lie flat and fan up across their backs. Although the tails are a familiar characteristic of this breed, it actually takes several months for them to develop, and puppies are not born with fluffy tails. These dogs can be found in almost any pattern, like brindle and parti-color, and with an immense variety of color combinations. They can be chocolate, tan, sable, blue, orange, black, white, cream, red, silver, grey, fawn, brown, or a combination of multiple of these colors. They have wedge-shaped heads with erect and high set ears, and noses that are either dark or share the same coloring as the dog’s coat. Pomeranians have dark eyes that are almond shaped and muzzles that are straight with well pronounced stops. The teeth of a Pomeranian dog will meet in a scissors bite.

Eye Color Possibilities

Blue

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Isabella

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Black

Gray

Fawn

Brown

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Pomeranian Breed Maintenance

Due to their little size, these dogs can do well in apartments and smaller houses that do not necessarily have fenced in yards. They do require a moderate amount of daily exercise, which can include several walks or play times. The walks can be long but it is important to keep in mind that, due to their small size, these dogs can be sensitive to extreme heat. In these cases, they would most likely appreciate a shorter walk instead. These dogs will love playing with toys, but can get bored easily so rotating the toys would be a good idea in order to keep things exciting. Toys that can challenge them will be even better. They should be fed twice a day, and should get a total amount of ¼-½ cups of food. Twice each week, a wire slicker brush and metal comb should be used to groom your pet. You should ensure that you brush all the way from the skin in order to properly distribute the natural oils and to fully shed the undercoat. To do this, you should start at the head and move down, parting the hair and brushing it forward using the comb. Some people like to trim their Pomeranian’s fur around the ears, face, the hind end and feet, but this is not required. They do not need to be bathed regularly, but can instead have baths as often as you’d like. Dental hygiene and nail trimmings are also important for your Pomeranian. Their teeth should be brushed daily, or once a week in the least. Nails should be cared for as often as needed.

Brushes for Pomeranian

Slicker Brush

Comb

Deshedder

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Pomeranian Activity Requirements

These feisty little dogs are very smart and love meeting new friends, human and animal alike. Despite their little size, they can sometimes try to challenge bigger dogs, but this behavior should not be tolerated. Although they are tiny, they can still be good watchdogs that will bark at any sign of trouble due to their high alertness. Their barking can sometimes get out of hand, and therefore they should be taught to be quiet on command. These dogs are smart and can easily learn new tricks, which can be a fun activity for both you and your pet. However, you should keep in mind that these dogs have short attention spans and that training sessions should be kept short and sweet, just like your Pomeranian. Reward your Pomeranian with praise, treats or play when they perform well. They are good with children, but, for the safety of the dog, will do best with kids who are older and know how to treat them gently. They are small and can get hurt easily if accidentally dropped or stepped on. They also get along well with other animals, including cats. The main issue is that Pomeranians can sometimes get hurt by bigger dogs, as they are not aware of their small size and may try to challenge them.

Top Pomeranian Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Pomeranian breeders of 2018.

Char's Pomeranians

Bark River, Michigan

Avalon Poms

Pocatello, Idaho

Medicine Lodge Poms LLC

Dillon, Montana

Impressive Pomeranians & Finest Frenchies

Marionville, Missouri

Magix'z Pomeranians

Memphis, Michigan

​​Beau Joli Pomeranians​​

Saint Louis, Missouri

Sunshine Poms

Williston, Florida

Jenchri Forest Pomeranians

Forest Ranch, California

Von Kachler Pomeranians

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Soleil Legendary French Bulldogs & Pomeranians

Ormond Beach, Florida

Pomeranian Owner Experiences

Teddy

4 Years

3 People

House & Yard

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Playing in the snow

More

Bath time

Play

Tug-of-war

Groom

Playdate

Walking

Teddy is the most adorable, smartest, Cutest Dog ever! He is super playful and kind. Since he grew up around cats, he is even affectionate around cats. Our cat and him used to always play together when they were younger. If you are planning on getting a dog like this I recommend a pomerainian.

4 months ago

Barkley

5 Months

1 People

House

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Brush

Playing with his many toys, fetch

Cuddling

Kisses

Chase

Playdate

Pomeranians are one of the sweetest, loving and loyal breeds of dog. Both Poms I’ve owned are very attached to me and my kids/grandkids. Lovemattention and want as much as they can get, which is easy, how can you not give them tons of affection as they so much love giving it back x10. Love being groomed, he walks with a proud little trot and wiggle after grooming as he is adorable and he knows it. He does a little paw dance standing on his two hind legs when he’s excited..this seems to be a Pom thing as I’ve seen other Poms do this very same thing. The best little fur babys ever.

10 months ago

2 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Balls

Frisbee

Fetch

Explore the woods

Run

Walk

Powerful Pomeranians! So much will power in such a tiny body. Pomeranians are well tempered, adaptable, intelligent, extroverted, friendly, social, and active. They are also some of the fluffiest and most adorable dogs on the planet. Their willingness to please and natural affinity for people makes them one of the best breeds for people, children, and even other animals. One of the first things to note about this breed is how excited they are both one on one and especially with people. They love to be around others and love the attention they tend to garner. Pomeranians are quite sassy, they are not just beautiful wallflowers to pet and dote over, and they possess quite the powerful personality. Every Pomeranian I have known has had a distinct yet strong personality. While they may be small, they have a way to command attention when they enter the room. Poms are quite tenacious and intelligent. They are wonderful at being able to distinguish and judge ones character. No matter how old they are, I have yet to one that is not in superior health. Their energy level seems to sustain itself even as they get older. All of the Pomeranians I have walked never look their age. Pomeranians are quite the stunning dogs. Their size is only one aspect of their beauty; they also possess luscious coats, dazzling eyes, and keen ears that are adorably expressive. Pomeranians love affection!!! They love being pet, given belly rubs, being around other dogs, and giving love to all who are around them. They also tend to bond with one or two people, but still are open to the love of others who get to be in their company. Poms are protective. I have walked numerous poms that not only refuse to go into a direction if they don’t feel that their owner is safe, but also often rush ahead and start to aggressively bark in order to protect their owners. So much bark in such a miniscule body is a sight to behold! Pomeranians are athletic and can play for hours, due to their small size, they tend to be overlooked and underestimated, but there are many agile Poms that can rival some mini American shepherds. Last but not least, Pomeranians mix so beautifully with other dog breeds. Whether it is a pure Pomeranian or a hybrid, the result is always one of the best rounded doggos!

10 months, 4 weeks ago

1 Year

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

I loved walking these two sibling Pomeranian pups! One of the Pomeranians had an issue with spraying around the house, so I had to remove and replace his puppy diaper before and after our walk. The pups were super excited when I first arrived to their home, so much so that it was slightly difficult to put their leashes on. Once I got them both leashed up, the puppies loved their time on their walk. The male Pomeranian loved marking his territory. Both of the Pomeranians very friendly towards people, but were very aggressive and barked towards other dogs. One of the Pomeranians loved to be pet, but one would get a bit too excited and overly stimulated and would bite my hand in an excited way.

10 months, 4 weeks ago

4 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Dog Parks

Play

Catch treats

Walk

Chase

What a tiny little darling. She gets toy possessive, a trait that I didn't realize until we ended up at the dog park and she very speedily snatched a toy from another dog and was rudely guarding the other dog from sharing it or from giving it back. Once I realized this, I had to work to keep her away from any dog that had a toy. As an alternative we played chase and she absolutely loved this. She'd zip around the dog park with astonishing speed, would stop suddenly and tauntingly, and would wait for me to resume the chase. Fortunately she was highly motivated by receiving treats and was very easy to leash up and head back home. Besides her mild possessiveness, she was a very funny dog and was really fantastic with all the other dogs and people at the park.

10 months, 4 weeks ago

6 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Run

Play

investigate

Shake

Pomeranians are in a word, quite jovial. I have interacted with a few over the years (they are such a popular breed), but so far I have only worked with one professionally, and I have done so twice. This Pomeranian in question was relatively young, so she exhibited much that is common to all dogs, especially in terms of what can be visible from a young age: an eagerness to explore, a love of treats, uninhibited social interaction with all other dogs (no matter the size or breed), etc. Given their size and fiery though contained intensity, Pomeranians seem to be prone to anxiety. I believe that such an open commitment to the types of fun they have can take its toll. Their anxiety seems to be based more in their activities than in their social flare. All it takes is a simple mix of patience and timing. They are joyous and easily excited though not at all hard to contain. They love affection and attention and can be very easy to work with if one only keeps an eye on other dogs in the distance/garbage that they might turn into potential treats.

10 months, 4 weeks ago

2 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Nap

Run

Walk

Brushing

Pomeranians are great, little flush dogs. They have a bark to them, but they are literally all bark and no bite. All of the Pomeranians that I have walked have been very friendly. They get startled easily by strangers, loud noises and sudden movements. They love to be pet and brushed. Being pampered is one of their favorite things ever. They’re full of energy and love to run around. Generally good with other dogs their size, they love to run around in the dog parks. Their hair blows beautifully in the wind, as it is extremely long. That makes them big shedders. Their hair requires a lot of upkeep and grooming. But their coats are
Beautiful. They love treats and sharing your food. They are definitely the perfect companion for the owner who loves a small dog. One that I walk had an Cattle dog sister and they got along great and even cuddled together. They also love to take it easy and take naps and take in sun. They have a lot of personality for such little dogs.

11 months ago

15 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

staring out the window

lolling his tongue

licking his paws

growling

Sleeping

Buddy is an old dog. Pomeranians are adorable dogs from start to finish, as I am coming to find. They start out as little yipping fluff balls and grow into big yipping fluff balls. I have found the breed to be not very friendly however, as they grow attached to only one person and become protective as Buddy has.

11 months ago

6 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Sniffing

barking

Walking

Such cute dogs, very sweet and love able to select people. Very wary and will bark at many dogs/people. Like to be home and comfy with their family (much like house cats!)

11 months ago

3 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

slow walking

Exploring

Pomeranians tend to be a bit more obstinate and slow to take direction. They don't aim to please at all times and have a mind of their own. Easily excitable but also easily agitated. They are not afraid to bark at other dogs, people, or stimuli around them. Depending on the dog, they sometimes ignore everything around them as well-- deeming themselves more important. These dogs sometimes bite, but with proper training this isn't a certain quality by any means!

11 months ago

8 Months

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Running

Kisses

pets

wrestling

being talked to

Playing with his brother

The pom that I had the pleasure of walking was a mix. He was a husky/pom mix, and was the cutest pup Ive ever seen! He was still super small and young when I walked him, and he was being trained with an electric fence, so unfortunately I have not yet been able to walk him outside of the yard. Despite that, from one walk to another, I could see the vast improvement in his training. He would give me kisses, and jump up on me when I came in, which was much appreciated. I walked him with his brother, and they would both wrestle together the whole time, and the pom just had so much energy the whole time. They stay quite small, and adorable! He didn't bark at all when I came into the house, which is nice, because most poms bark a lot. I cant wait to see him grow up!

11 months ago

4 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Groom

Go to Park

Fetch

One that I walked was very timid and would not come out from under the owners bed. The others I have been around were very excited and active. They need lots of running around, dog park, activity before they wear out but they are very sweet and playful.

11 months ago

4 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Sniffing

Observing

Walk

bark

Explore the city

The Pomeranians I have walked tend to be the same. They aren’t very friendly as soon as I meet them but after a while they warm up. They tend to bark a lot but just because they feel that they need to protect themselves against something. They can sometimes be a bit stubborn about the direction they want to walk in so as long as they’re happy with the way the walk is going, things are great. I have noticed that they like observe a lot and can get defensive easily. They do not like to interact much with other people but can be friendly to smaller dogs. I have noticed that they are usually intimidated by bigger dogs and that when they get closer they will start to bark a lot.

11 months ago

10 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Oh my gosh what a fun dog! Even though he was older, he had a lot of spunk, especially when we were heading home! He was very obedient, listened after we had a connection. Slow walking little guy, but never gave up and loved his walk around the block. He listened really well and would come when you called him. He approached me really nicely, never jumped or barked getting him ready for the walk. His size was perfect as well, just in case we ran into bigger dogs, I could easily pick him up and walk away if necessary. He kept doing this cute little gallop when he got excited around the corners, his energy was contagious! He was a little scared of loud noises but would stay close so that worked and made him feel better about the sitatuion

11 months ago

6 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

A very mellow dog likes to go on slow walks but enjoys their walks very loving affectionate pups

11 months ago

4 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

sleep

Laying in the sun

barking

Walking

I've walk lots of pums before, they on there own are very good dogs, but it kind a depends on how they grow them, like in every dog. the ones I walk have been raised very well, so they r friendly and happy to see you. walking, running, but they do get scare with loud noises, skaters, big trucks etc etc, but will keep on walking.
I own a pum mix a chiguagua and its very fragile, scare of a lot of stuff, people, everything pretty much, and dog aggressive. I thing is the mix with chi.

11 months ago

3 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Brushing

Nap

Eating Snacks

My Pomeranian clients are so sweet. They can be a little yappy and excitable but they’re so small and tiny it’s bearable. They’ll be so excited to get outside. They love cruising around the city. They know they’re cute. Like ridiculously cute and they work it. They love to solicit pets from people on the street. Those little faces just scream ‘pet me, love me!’ And everyone does.

11 months ago

3 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

petting

barking

Walking

Pomeranian's have always been very bouncy and bubbly dogs. They often are barking when I enter the apartment but are harmless and never aggressive. They also do tend to bark at other dogs but I think that it is in a way of wanting to interact with them and not to be aggressive. They like to keep a pretty quick pace to their walks, and love to be out and about.